Last Friday night I had the awesome opportunity to go on a daddy-daughter campout. As the girls get older and I get older I guess Dad gets less exciting to hang out with. When given the choice of coming with me, only two of the girls decided that was what they wanted to do with their Friday night. (And let me be perfectly clear: the option was to stay at home. No big plans for anyone. Basically a campout with Dad just didn't seem particularly awesome. I guess I had some foresight when I blogged our campout in 2011.)
But Graci, Sophi and I had a great time! We returned to Clover Springs for the first time in seven years. The campground is pretty remote and the stars were absolutely fantastic. Hot dogs, s'mores, and egg mcmuffins for breakfast made for a great menu. The first year we went on a daddy-daughter campout we started a funny tradition. On a pre-camp shopping trip I saw Funky Flames in the camping section at Walmart. We tried them out, the girls loved the colors, and now they want them every time we go.
Having Taylor leave for school has really driven home the reality that our time with these angels in our household is limited and short. I am so grateful for opportunities like these that provide the chance to create memories that will help sustain me when more of them are gone.
Jeremy
Sophi loves to pose 😂
We took a little hike...
...to the springs that give the campground it's name.
Apparently Sophi decided to take some pics before I woke up 😂
Last summer Taylor and Parker decided they wanted to go backpacking with a couple of their friends. I took their group up to a favorite hike of mine -- Silver Lake in American Fork canyon. We had a great time, and the boys decided to do it again this year. So in July, just three short days after we returned from our Alaska Basin trip, we set off again into the wilderness. (As I was driving home from the Tetons, I was seriously worried about the ability of my legs to recover in time. Teenagers have no such issues, but as you can see from the videos of me in the water up in Alaska Basin and also on this trip, I am not built like my teenagers!)
Taylor and his friends Cohlton and Brody, Parker and his buddy Austin, had a blast. The first portion of the hike, up to Silver Lake, isn't too steep. The payoff is magnificent when you arrive at one of the most beautiful alpine lakes you'll ever come across. Once at this point we had to jump in:).
(As I watch this video, a slightly modified Sesame Street song comes to mind "Five of these guys belong together, five of these guys are kind of the same...")
After Silver Lake, the trail gets super steep for about three fourths of a mile up to Silver Glance Lake, which is where we camped. The camp spot up there is perfect!
To help get a feel for the steeples of this terrain, look closely for Parker and Austin in the middle of this picture...
Last year this rock was easily accessible. This year they had to create a bridge with a dead tree to get out there...
I got a new bug net for my hammock:)
Flashlight light sabers!
The next morning we hike up another 1200 feet to the top of Red Baldy, an 11,150 foot peak. Unbelievable panoramic views!
Taylor found this perfect zen spot last year and made sure to replicate the experience this year.
Mid-July and plenty of snow to sled down:
On the way back down, Taylor wanted to enjoy one last dip in the lake...
I am a lucky dad to have kids who enjoy the outdoors so much. Great trip! Love my family and love where we live:)
A couple of weeks ago I had the fantastic opportunity to go with Xander's scout troop on an overnight hiking trip. This was Xander's first backpacking campout, so we kept his pack relatively light at 22 pounds. We went to Fifth Water Hot Springs in Diamond Fork Canyon. The hike itself was beautiful. We went in about 3 miles with an elevation gain of about 800 feet, so not too steep. Once we set up camp, we enjoyed soaking in the natural spring water. It was a bit slimy, but lots of fun! Xander did very well and is excited to try some more aggressive trips with Dad and his older brothers later this summer. I love the outdoors!
Learning from the scoutmaster.
That's my hammock:)
I wish it could capture the beauty of the falls.
I love the snow capped mountains peeking out in the background!
When we fell in love 24 years ago, we started down a path that has been challenging, exhausting, and breathtakingly beautiful. Here we chronicle the blessings and stressings of parenting some pretty amazing children. We think they're the perfect travel companions as we look forward to the next fork in the road. Welcome to our journey.
Our oldest by birth, he's the voracious reader, BYU fan, spiritual giant, sports nut, 4.0 student, huge-hearted ray of sunshine!
Parker Matthew--22
The red-headed social butterfly, he's our all-star athlete, top student, outdoor-loving, spunky second-born, with a heart of pure gold!
Jessica Anne "Jesi"--19
Our little princess with the big smile, Jesi loves fashion, friends, hanging with her siblings, and vacations. She sparkles!
Jacob Michael-- 6/8/2004
Little one of heavenly birth, born too soon to bloom on earth. You have taught us so much--we love you, Jacob!
Emily Anne "Emmy"--9/28/2005
Emily's exquisite little hands and feet have left their mark in this world. Her body was tiny, but her spirit enormous. We miss her!
Elizabeth Mei "Elli"--18
Elli's world may be dark, but she's the light of our lives! Lover of music, chocolate, and new toys, she fights a courageous battle with autism while bringing joy to all who know her!!
Gracelin Kate "Graci"--24
Showing true grace throughout her battles with heart disease and pulmonary hypertension, our Gracester is loved by everyone! She's smart, gorgeous, friendly, and has faith to move mountains!
Alexander Philip "Xander"--18
With a spunk and smile that could outmatch anyone's, our Xander has not let Cloves Syndrome get the best of him. He's a talented chef, a caring friend to MANY, our best helper, and is full of teenage humor.
Alexis Li "Lexi"--18
Meet the friendliest girl on the planet! Blind from birth, Lexi amazes all of us with her braille skills, determination, talents, but mosly by the way she spends her days SMILING. She is an angel in every way. We are thrilled to have our darling daughter home six years from China!!
Sophia Breanne "Sophi"--14
Her eyes called out to us from half-way around the world. Little Sophi is growing up and we would do anything to freeze her in time! She's beautiful, smart, and coy and can do amazing things with her toes! She has inspired people all around the world and we can't believe she is ours. Sophi = perfection.
Calais Rose "Cali"--22
Charming Cali joined our family in December of 2012. This girl is beautiful both inside and out. Born with spina bifida, Cali is confined to a wheelchair, but that does not keep her from enjoying life to the fullest. She is smart, opinionated, strong, and lovely in every way. She is a light in our family and a magnet for handsome young men!
Conner Allen-- 22
Meet our newest addition! Home nine years from China, Conner makes us wonder what we ever did without him. Blind from birth, he will blow you away with his incredible talent on the piano. He is sweet, witty, girl-crazy, kind and finally, OURS! We love you, Conner!
The Dog
Baxter-- 3 years
She begged and pleaded and wrote letter after letter telling us why she NEEDED a dog, and Sophi finally got her wish! Meet Baxter, the cutest mini-audssiedoodle on the planet.
